Architecture

The most remarkable and astounding aspect of the town of Sabaudia is, most certainly, its architecture and the composition of its urban spaces: its uniformly rectangular squares, the simplicity and linearity of the architectural configuration; the volumes of the buildings reminiscent of the rationalism movement of the thirties. The fulcrum of the town is Piazza del  Comune, once known as Piazza della Rivoluzione.

A series of prominent structures defines it; the Town Hall, with its characteristic tower, wich its 46 metres high, from which to enjoy an exceptional view. It conserves, in its foundation, the cornerstone of Sabaudia, along with a parchment and some coins of the Regno d’Italia (Italy’s Kingdom); the Palazzo delle Associazioni Combattentistiche (near the Town Hall), on which façade is reported the declaration of victory proclaimed by A. Diaz; the Casa del Fascio, with a particular interesting turret; the Union Building, the Working men’s club, with the annexed cinema-theatre and café;  large connecting porticoes and lined edifices; a further outstanding portico which hosted, in its core, a covered market demolished to make way for today’s Piazza Santa Barbara.

The church of the SS. Annunziata is an outstanding building in the historical centre. On its façade, an imposing mosaic by Ferrazzi: the top part depicts the Annunciation; the bottom, customary episodes of rural life, with Mussolini in the act of arranging wheat sheaves. The Baptistery, the Belfry (47 metres high) and the Presbytery, with its appealing internal courtyard, conclude this evocative corner of the town that recalls the atmosphere of medieval squares.

The Post Office by Angiolo Mazzoni (now Library and Documentation Centre), is architecturally the most interesting and peculiar building in the town: completely faced in Savoy blue tiles (the colour of the House of Savoia) with a red Siena marble border around the imposing windows, that illuminate the internal hall. A grand staircase leads to the residence of its keeper.

The Royal Carabinieri  Barracks are immediately opposite the Post Office.

On the southern end of Corso Vittorio Emanuele III, are two further prominent edifices: the Schools and Opera Nazionale Balilla, today a school for State Foresters, which extends up to Viale Regina Elena, with what used to be the gymnasium; and opposite, the tower-like building that hosted the Head Offices of the Opera Nazionale Combattenti. Also worthy of a mention are the Voluntary Militia for National Security Barracks, today Caserma Piave, on the shores of the lake, and the former Hospital, Maternity and Childrens’ centre, which today houses the local Health Unit.